Question Re Getting Prescription Shooting Glasses

[Texas Solo]

There was a thread recently about shooting with or without glasses.
I see much better without, but of course the rules require eye protection.
I wear progressive bifocals. But in order to see, I have to drop them down on my nose and look over them. Even then I don't see as clear as I should. FWIW, the issue is not my scope. March 10-60x56 HM.
I'm not opposed to getting dedicated shooting glasses, but I need a Dr that will actually listen to my issue and have a solution
My local Optometrist is an idiot. He won't listen to my needs.

So the question is, how do you find the right Dr without paying for multiple exams just trying to find the right one?

 

[pilediver]

I would try ordinary safety glasses and adjust the focus on the eyepiece to get the crosshairs in good focus and then adjust the side focus to get the target in focus, then you remove any correction that your prescription glasses are trying to do.

 

[Chaotik]

I wear progressive bifocals. But in order to see, I have to drop them down on my nose and look over them.

I wear progressives, and have found the best alternative for me was to use standard shooting glasses that have a bifocal at the bottom. The top of the lens is clear (just as if I were to "look over" my regular progressives).

I have never had any luck with getting prescription shooting glasses that worked.

 

[Texas Solo]

I think some of the problem is that shooting in prone position, you're not looking through any glasses in the center of the lenses.

 

[Krogen]

If you see better without your glasses, then you shouldn't have to go to an optometrist for shooting glasses. All you need is eye protection. I suggest getting some glasses like shotgunners use. The lenses are large and you can look out the top of them. I have the same issue shooting prone. The top rim of my glasses is in the way.

But now, I am a couple weeks past cataract surgery. Doc gave me Extended Depth of Focus IOLs. Eliminated my astigmatism and greatly reduced my presbyopia. Woo Hoo! Shouldering iron-sighted rifles and pistols, I can see the rear and front sights in focus plus the target. Never could do that before, even as a kid. I am looking forward to prone shooting with just plain safety glasses. I have some ordinary polycarbonate safety glasses to get started. I think we're in the same situation. I'm looking at something like these Decot glasses. Spendy, but then so are March scopes!

Shooting Glasses - Classic HyWyd with HYLO - NonRx / Prescription

Our self adjustable Hy-Lo Bridge helps make these sportglasses ultra versitile for all sports, shooting, and general uses.

www.decot.com

 

[Texas Solo]

If you see better without your glasses, then you shouldn't have to go to an optometrist for shooting glasses. All you need is eye protection. I suggest getting some glasses like shotgunners use. The lenses are large and you can look out the top of them. I have the same issue shooting prone. The top rim of my glasses is in the way.

But now, I am a couple weeks past cataract surgery. Doc gave me Extended Depth of Focus IOLs. Eliminated my astigmatism and greatly reduced my presbyopia. Woo Hoo! Shouldering iron-sighted rifles and pistols, I can see the rear and front sights in focus plus the target. Never could do that before, even as a kid. I am looking forward to prone shooting with just plain safety glasses. I have some ordinary polycarbonate safety glasses to get started. I think we're in the same situation. I'm looking at something like these Decot glasses. Spendy, but then so are March scopes!

Shooting Glasses - Classic HyWyd with HYLO - NonRx / Prescription

Our self adjustable Hy-Lo Bridge helps make these sportglasses ultra versitile for all sports, shooting, and general uses.

www.decot.com

I can't spend $200 unless I KNOW they would work.

 

[Walt Krafft]

Find another optomotrist! If you are wearing progressives and you see better without them, they are ffedup. I would have him get me the best distance prescription they can. Dont confuse him if you are not shooting irons. Then get a pair of Decot Hywides. Adjust the rear lens of the scope so the reticle is clear.

 

[Krogen]

I can't spend $200 unless I KNOW they would work.

Same here. I have yet to shoot with my overhauled eyeballs. I bought some 3M safety glasses from Amazon to test the waters. The clarity is decent, but it was tough to find some that went high enough on my noggin to shoot prone.

 

[Turbulent Turtle]

There was a thread recently about shooting with or without glasses.
I see much better without, but of course the rules require eye protection.
I wear progressive bifocals. But in order to see, I have to drop them down on my nose and look over them. Even then I don't see as clear as I should. FWIW, the issue is not my scope. March 10-60x56 HM.
I'm not opposed to getting dedicated shooting glasses, but I need a Dr that will actually listen to my issue and have a solution
My local Optometrist is an idiot. He won't listen to my needs.

So the question is, how do you find the right Dr without paying for multiple exams just trying to find the right one?

A riflescope is an afocal device, and you use your far vision to see through it. That is the most relaxed vision for your eye, and should require not effort so you can look through it at length. Of course, if the glass is not great, your eye will fatigue, but that's another story. The point is that to look through a riflescope, you want your far vision to be corrected to normal. So, if you need glasses to see the flags or the target line, you should use those glasses to look through the riflescope. If you wear bifocals, only the bottom part is corrected for near vision, and unless you lie on your back to shoot in prone, you should not have any issues looking through the top of the lenses. Standing and sitting are more complicated and you may have to consider glasses corrected for your far vision only.

That said, most eyeglasses, safety glasses and so on are made of polycarbonate and that introduces a great deal of chromatic aberration, which is something your expensive riflescope tries to eliminate. My hypothesis is that is the reason why lots of people, including myself, hate to wear glasses while looking through our ultra-spendy riflescopes. The regular eyeglasses mess up the wonderful IQ emanating from our kilobuck riflescopes. There is a lens material called Trivex that greatly reduces the CA compared to polycarbonate while still retaining the shock-resistance quality we so desire from glasses.

There is an entire thread here somewhere that I started some months ago about this. I have safety glasses made of Trivex ($60) with no Rx in them. You cannot tell that you are wearing safety glasses while looking through a riflescope; the IQ is undisturbed. After that test, I went ahead and ordered a Rx (progressive) pair of glasses ($120) with Trivex and now, I always keep my glasses when shooting because there is no IQ-degrading polycarb lenses to content with.

Thread 'Wearing eyeglasses while using a riflescope. Now includes research on contact lenses, see page 5.'

Oct 6, 2025

I’m placing this post in the Competition forum, though I think it would fit well in Optics forum.

As those of you who have read my material here know, I am passionate about optical IQ, CA control and mirage. My hypothesis is that a riflescope that doesn’t control CA (Chromatic Aberration) very well, intensifies the disruptive effect of atmospheric shimmer (mirage) on the Image Quality (IQ) of a riflescope substantially. This causes the users of those riflescopes to have to dial down the magnification to attempt to deal with bad mirage conditions.

Over many years, I have become aware that...

• Turbulent Turtle
• Replies: 84
• Forum: Competition Forum (All Calibers)

• 

 

[Walt Krafft]

One thing I have noticed wearing glasses for over 60 years, is if your prescription changes, it will take some time for your eyes to adjust to the change. So your shooting glasses should have the same prescription as your everyday distance glasses.

 

[Appalachian]

A riflescope is an afocal device, and you use your far vision to see through it. That is the most relaxed vision for your eye, and should require not effort so you can look through it at length. Of course, if the glass is not great, your eye will fatigue, but that's another story. The point is that to look through a riflescope, you want your far vision to be corrected to normal. So, if you need glasses to see the flags or the target line, you should use those glasses to look through the riflescope. If you wear bifocals, only the bottom part is corrected for near vision, and unless you lie on your back to shoot in prone, you should not have any issues looking through the top of the lenses. Standing and sitting are more complicated and you may have to consider glasses corrected for your far vision only.

That said, most eyeglasses, safety glasses and so on are made of polycarbonate and that introduces a great deal of chromatic aberration, which is something your expensive riflescope tries to eliminate. My hypothesis is that is the reason why lots of people, including myself, hate to wear glasses while looking through our ultra-spendy riflescopes. The regular eyeglasses mess up the wonderful IQ emanating from our kilobuck riflescopes. There is a lens material called Trivex that greatly reduces the CA compared to polycarbonate while still retaining the shock-resistance quality we so desire from glasses.

There is an entire thread here somewhere that I started some months ago about this. I have safety glasses made of Trivex ($60) with no Rx in them. You cannot tell that you are wearing safety glasses while looking through a riflescope; the IQ is undisturbed. After that test, I went ahead and ordered a Rx (progressive) pair of glasses ($120) with Trivex and now, I always keep my glasses when shooting because there is no IQ-degrading polycarb lenses to content with.

Thread 'Wearing eyeglasses while using a riflescope. Now includes research on contact lenses, see page 5.'

Oct 6, 2025

I’m placing this post in the Competition forum, though I think it would fit well in Optics forum.

As those of you who have read my material here know, I am passionate about optical IQ, CA control and mirage. My hypothesis is that a riflescope that doesn’t control CA (Chromatic Aberration) very well, intensifies the disruptive effect of atmospheric shimmer (mirage) on the Image Quality (IQ) of a riflescope substantially. This causes the users of those riflescopes to have to dial down the magnification to attempt to deal with bad mirage conditions.

Over many years, I have become aware that...

• Turbulent Turtle
• Replies: 84
• Forum: Competition Forum (All Calibers)

• 

Thank You. That was very helpful.

 

[B y r o n]

Years ago, 1995, I got a position on our weapons training unit. Before this I had 20/15 vision and no need for prescription lenses. Knowing I had to make a decision on bullets cutting scoring lines I had my eyes checked because I knew my close vision was getting worse. I still didn't have an issue with clear front site vision of my front site. My optometrist verified my vision was off and I needed corrective lenses for seeing things up close. Because I didn't need correction at arms length front site length I had the optometrist have my Rayban Aviator lenses set with the Bifocal set as low as possible on the lens. Clear lens when looking at my front site but when I needed to make the call on whether or not a bullet cut the line I simply had to tilt my head back to see through the bottom of the lens.

Have your glasses made with the bifocal set as low as possible and you should be good to go.

 

[B Nettesheim]

My local eyeglass company is absolutely phenomenal, he’s set me up and corrected my glasses for shooting. He understands our sport and had made glasses for shooters in many disciplines, even the late Boots Obermeyer.
Maybe give him a ring, talk to Dale the owner

Fluegge Optical - Eyewear Store | Waterford WI

fluegge.com

 

[Liven The Dream]

I think some of the problem is that shooting in prone position, you're not looking through any glasses in the center of the lenses.

Your right .
There are Frames for shooting glasses .
The focal point in the Lens must be set higher for Prone .
I have the Bi focal as low as possible.
Any good Doctor or Fast Glasses place can do it if you have the Frames and Prescription?
I just had my Lens change for $117 ?

 

[Oldbloke]

If you see better without your glasses, then you shouldn't have to go to an optometrist for shooting glasses. All you need is eye protection. I suggest getting some glasses like shotgunners use. The lenses are large and you can look out the top of them. I have the same issue shooting prone. The top rim of my glasses is in the way.

But now, I am a couple weeks past cataract surgery. Doc gave me Extended Depth of Focus IOLs. Eliminated my astigmatism and greatly reduced my presbyopia. Woo Hoo! Shouldering iron-sighted rifles and pistols, I can see the rear and front sights in focus plus the target. Never could do that before, even as a kid. I am looking forward to prone shooting with just plain safety glasses. I have some ordinary polycarbonate safety glasses to get started. I think we're in the same situation. I'm looking at something like these Decot glasses. Spendy, but then so are March scopes!

Shooting Glasses - Classic HyWyd with HYLO - NonRx / Prescription

Our self adjustable Hy-Lo Bridge helps make these sportglasses ultra versitile for all sports, shooting, and general uses.

www.decot.com

Krogan is right, BUT, I would just buy a good pair of untinted polycarbonate safety glasses. I know they are slightly different in the US to here but a $30-$40 pair should be optically perfect.

Personally I just wear bifocals. Works for me. But I'm not into long range target shooting.

Or try another opptomotist.

 

[Krogen]

Thanks for the post, @Turbulent Turtle . Great info! I see in your linked post that Zenni offers Trivex safety glasses. Do you know of other Trivex sources?

On another note: I really appreciate your posts on the forum. You provide very useful and detailed information. The info feeds the mind of this "recovering engineer."

 

[Turbulent Turtle]

Thanks for the nice note. I put in all my findings on Trivex in the linked thread. There are a few other places that have Trivex lenses, but I have not tried them. I only dealt with Zunni and as I said, I have safety glasses without Rx, and a regular pair with my Rx. I use the regular pair as my regular glasses.

 

[cyranis]

I have a few pair of Wiley X prescription shooting glasses, they are amazing in every respect. They are approved for mil use on the APEL list, so they aren't fly by night. They offer mil discounts, and they took my eye insurance.

 

[wkdickinson]

If you see better without your glasses, then you shouldn't have to go to an optometrist for shooting glasses. All you need is eye protection. I suggest getting some glasses like shotgunners use. The lenses are large and you can look out the top of them. I have the same issue shooting prone. The top rim of my glasses is in the way.

But now, I am a couple weeks past cataract surgery. Doc gave me Extended Depth of Focus IOLs. Eliminated my astigmatism and greatly reduced my presbyopia. Woo Hoo! Shouldering iron-sighted rifles and pistols, I can see the rear and front sights in focus plus the target. Never could do that before, even as a kid. I am looking forward to prone shooting with just plain safety glasses. I have some ordinary polycarbonate safety glasses to get started. I think we're in the same situation. I'm looking at something like these Decot glasses. Spendy, but then so are March scopes!

Shooting Glasses - Classic HyWyd with HYLO - NonRx / Prescription

Our self adjustable Hy-Lo Bridge helps make these sportglasses ultra versitile for all sports, shooting, and general uses.

www.decot.com

Here is a "second" for the Decot "Hy-Wyd" shooting glasses. I normally wear glasses with "progressive" lenses, but I found I could never shoot with them because I was constantly searching for the right part of the lens to look through. So I most times shot without glasses. I tried many different types, kinds, brands of safety glass and nothing worked. But about 3-4 years ago AS had a series of articles, over about 2-3 months, about guns blowing up. Well I had a "come to Jesus" moment and decide to order a pair of shooting glasses. After reading a lot I opted for the Decot Hy-Wyd and decide to have them made as true bifocals, since I need the extra magnification to read the scope settings.

I'd just had my annual eye exam, so I had a current prescription, but did need some addition information for the Decot purchase order, which I was able to obtain from my Ophthalmologist. I submitted the form to Decot, paid for them and about 2 weeks later received my glasses in the mail. They were and are absolutely perfect! They do exactly what I need and my eyes are protected. The nose piece on them is adjustable for height, so you can get them exactly where you want them. In my opinion - money very well spent!

 

[6MMsteve]

Trivex is a harder denser plastic, which will make the lenses lighter and more scratch resistant, since I started using Trivex my lenses have basically been scratch free, and of course use cotton or good microfiber to clean them with a liquid to help remove dust before you clean, don't use any paper products to clean your lenses no Alcohol wipes they are paper I think..no coatings they will degrade and cause streaks